Kenya urges world to intervene over political feud in Somalia

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

advertisements

NAIROBI (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Tuesday called on the world to intervene in the political feud within the leadership in Somalia, which, Kenya said, has affected regional peace initiatives.

Deputy President William Ruto said the differences between Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Prime Minister Abdiweli Ahmed was undermining regional countries' efforts to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.

"We are concerned about the rift between the President and the PM. The situation remains fragile and we are asking for assistance from the international community to help the leaders manage the personal challenges they have," Ruto said when he held talks in Nairobi with visiting Slovakia Republic Deputy PM and Minister for Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajcak.

His remarks come after Somali PM Ahmed on Oct. 25 reportedly announced his decision to reshuffle the cabinet without consulting the president. However, President Mohamud later opposed the changes, and slammed Ahmed for "making outrageous decisions" and declared the reshuffle "null and void". He also urged the affected ministers to carry on with their duties.

Ahmed's re-organisation swapped the positions of the minister of livestock and animal husbandry, and the minister of justice and constitutional affairs. It also impacted two state ministers and four deputy ministers.

Regional analysts have raised concern over the power struggle between the two leaders and warned that it might negatively affect the work of the federal government.

Ruto said there was need for concerted efforts from the international community to help solve the misunderstanding between the two leaders so as to create a peaceful environment in Somalia that can enable thousands of Somali refugees in Kenya to be repatriated back to their country.

"The refugee situation is a huge burden to us. We are working on a framework to repatriate these refugees, and need a lot of international support in this efforts," said Ruto.

The deputy president noted that the situation in Somalia remains a thorn in the flesh of the Horn of Africa region, adding that a quick solution to the Somalia issue will pave the way for repatriation of refugee back to their country and bring stability to the region.

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online